INRD funds upcycling research looking at turning ties into biofuel

Through a grant from the Indiana Rail Road (INRD), the Coalition for Sustainable Rail (CSR) is initiating research on conversion of used railroad ties into an advanced biofuel, which is a first look into the viability of upcycling used railroad ties.

Koppers to acquire Osmose wood preservation and railroad services businesses

Koppers Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire the Wood Preservation and Railroad Services businesses of Osmose Holdings, Inc.

Illinois to fund restoration of Chicago to Rockford Amtrak service

The state of Illinois will make a $223-million state capital investment that will create hundreds of jobs and restart Amtrak service between Rockford and Chicago beginning in 2015.

CTA readies for station renovation and Orange Line trackwork

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) next week will begin major work on the rehabilitation of the Harrison Red Line station and the Orange Line’s 18th Street Connector, as part of a larger $92 million transportation investment in the Near South Side.

Southwest light-rail shallow tunnel plan approved by Metropolitan Council

The Metropolitan Council voted 14-2 on April 9 to approve the Southwest LRT (METRO Green Line Extension) Project, the Minneapolis area’s third light-rail transit line.

BNSF, Metra to begin tie and surface project along Illinois line

A major tie replacement and track resurfacing project will get underway during the last two weeks of April on Metra’s BNSF Line to Aurora, Ill. Metra said the project is part of an effort to maintain and improve the quality of service.

Amtrak awards contract for Hudson Line improvements

Amtrak awarded Michael Baker Jr., Inc., an engineering unit of Michael Baker International, a three-year, $4.2 million dollar contract to provide construction management and inspection services for five major projects as part of the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and Amtrak Hudson Line Improvements Program.

Report says NEC moves a workforce that contributes $50 billion annually to national economy

A new report details how the Northeast Corridor (NEC), carrying 750,000 daily Amtrak and commuter passengers, is a critical national asset, an economic engine for the U.S. and contributes about $50 billion a year to the national economy.

UP utilizing its TRT 909 for Nebraska and Iowa infrastructure improvements

Union Pacific Railroad began work to improve infrastructure in Nebraska and by investing more than $9 million in the rail line between near Missouri Valley, Iowa, and Arlington, Neb. The project began April 1 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the month.

AAR Annual Research Review draws record crowds to new venue

A record number of attendees joined researchers from Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI), at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs, Colo., for the Association of American Railroads 19th Annual Research Review April 1-2, 2014. This year’s theme was “Innovative Technology Developments in North American Railways.”

Extenders bill passes out of Senate Finance Committee, includes 45G for shortlines

The Senate Finance Committee passed legislation, Expiring Provisions Improvement Reform and Efficiency (EXPIRE) Act, on April 3 renewing a set of provisions known as “tax extenders.”

SFMTA begins rail rehab project

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) began a project in late March to rehabilitate aging rails on San Jose Avenue, adjacent to the Cam Beach Yard near Balboa Park Station.

Canada’s TSB attributes CP derailment to poor drainage

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) published its report on an April 2013 Canadian Pacific accident and found poor drainage and water-damaged track bed led to 17 cars derailing.

IntegriCo Composites moving to Louisiana

IntegriCo Composites is making a $20 million capital investment to establish a manufacturing facility near Springhill, La., that will produce transportation infrastructure components including crossties, rail crossings and industrial mats from landfill-bound plastic waste. The company also will relocate its corporate headquarters from Temple, Texas, to Webster Parish, La.

NYSDOT performs second round of inspections to guard against CBR accidents

New York state will make additional efforts to protect residents from potential disasters involving the transport of crude oil.

DART accelerates opening date for DFW Airport Station

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) will connect North Texas commuter to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW Airport) four months early and under budget with the opening of DFW Airport Station August 18.

NCDOT begins series of PIP rail improvements between Salisbury and Kannapolis

On March 24, the N.C. Department of Transportation will begin a rail project to add 11 miles of second track to the Norfolk Southern line between Salisbury and Kannapolis. The work will involve upgrading some railroad crossings and permanently closing others, extending Kimball Road from Main Street to Center Avenue and constructing a bridge carrying the North Carolina Railroad tracks over Kimball Road.

UP performing nearly $11.8 million in improvements to Missouri infrastructure

Union Pacific will strengthen Missouri’s transportation infrastructure by investing nearly $11.8 million in the rail line between near Kansas City, Mo., and near Marshall, Mo. The project, funded entirely by UP, began March 18 and is scheduled to be completed by June 2, 2014.

FTA grants Maryland Purple Line environmental approval

The Maryland Transit Administration’s (MTA) Purple Line light-rail project received Federal Transit Administration (FTA) approval of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Final Section 4(f) Evaluation.

TTCI hosts Senate and House Appropriation Committee members for facility tour

On March 18, members of the Senate and House Appropriation Committee toured the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Transportation Technology Center (TTC), near Pueblo, Colo., to learn firsthand about the activities being performed at the site.

LOAD MORE